FEBRUARY 23, 2023
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
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Assessments drop by $13 in new budget Healthy set of books leads to 5-2 vote to lower levy
PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
With the bald eagle rescued off Racetrack Road on Feb. 10, from left, are Worcester County Sheriff's Office Tfc. Robert Bradley, Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy Sheriff Ben Cropper, Assateague State Park Ranger Meghan Sochowski and Cpl. Eric Lenz.
Recovering eagle’s injury not disclosed By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Feb. 23, 2023) A bald eagle that was found unable to fly and standing on the side of the road is recovering from undisclosed injuries at a rescue facility in Delaware, while an investigation into the cause of the bird’s flightless state continues. Deputy Sheriff Ben Cropper of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, assisted with the rescue of a
bald eagle that was spotted on the shoulder of Racetrack Road on Feb. 10. According to the Sheriff’s office, Assateague Island State Park took the bird into custody. The eagle is now in the care of Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research in Newark, Delaware. This is the same facility that nursed a bald eagle back to health after it flew through a windshield on Route 113 in February 2021.
In that instance, wildlife officials knew what happened — the eagle flew into an oncoming vehicle and landed in the driver’s lap. The circumstances in the current case aren’t clear. “We have no comment on this case because it is under investigation, and we do not want to disclose any information that may compromise the investigation,” Executive See EAGLE Page 3
By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (Feb. 23, 2023) It’s official, assessments on Ocean Pines property will be less in the year ahead. The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors agreed at its Saturday session that assessments will drop by $13, making the bill for basic non-waterfront lots $883 and for waterfront lots $1,325. The assessments were finalized when the board voted to approve the 2023-24 budget by a five to two vote, with Colette Horn and Frank Daly voting against. Their main concern with the budget was that the aquatics department was projected to be in the red to a tune of $100,000. Horn noted that the governing documents say amenities should be run at break-even or better. In order to break even, prices for memberships, classes and daily visits would have to increase, raising the concern that it could price people out of a valued amenity, especially those on a fixed income. Ultimately, the majority of board members voted for the budget. General Manager John Viola reviewed the financials for January 2023. According to a memo from the Director of Finance/Controller Steve Phillips, “We have a positive operatSee BUDGET Page 5
Berlin’s budget looks good after first six months Finance director reports numbers running ahead, revenue collections solid By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Feb. 23, 2023) The numbers are in for the first half of FY23 and the
Town of Berlin is slightly ahead of schedule, according to Finance Director Natalie Saleh’s report. From the period of July 1 to Dec. 31, the town brought in $5.3 million in total revenue, which included $3.71 million in property and “other” taxes and $842,041 in intergovernmental revenues.
“Overall, we are at (41 percent) to be collected of all the revenues by the end of (FY23),” Saleh said. “It’s a good mark, which is a little less than (half). “From the budgeted amount of $9 million, we are at$ 5.3 million as of right now.” Expenditures for the six months
were $3.6 million, led by $1.49 million for public safety, $824,460 under general government and $553,830 for public works. As of the end of December, there was $1.58 million in the general fund assigned under “nonspendable,” the same exact number from 2022. See NO Page 2
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